SCRANTON, Pa. — A Weatherly couple has been indicted on multiple federal charges for allegedly defrauding a senior citizen and financial institutions out of approximately $1 million, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
Christen Lee Cosgrove, 40, and Brian Cosgrove, 37, were indicted by a grand jury on charges including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
According to the 59-count indictment, between October 2022 and May 2023, the Cosgroves conspired to obtain funds from the estate of a deceased individual and a 93-year-old victim. The couple allegedly used fraudulent wire transactions to access the funds, which they then spent on personal expenses including the purchase of a house, recreational vehicle, boat, vacations, and to pay off personal and business debts.
Prosecutors also allege that the couple engaged in multiple unlawful monetary transactions using the fraudulently obtained funds.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts. The investigation was led by the Internal Revenue Service and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
If convicted, the Cosgroves face up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud and up to 20 years for wire fraud, along with potential fines and supervised release.
The couple is accused of orchestrating a scheme that targeted both institutional assets and a vulnerable elderly victim.
